Bioactivity and genome analysis of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GL18 isolated from the rhizosphere of Kobresia myosuroides in an alpine meadow

Abstract

Abstract The unique eco-environment of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau breeds abundant microbial resources. In this research, the antagonistic activity, bacteriostatic hydrolase activity, and low temperature, salt, and drought resistance of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GL18, isolated from the rhizosphere of Kobresia myosuroides from an alpine meadow, were determined and analysed. The seedlings of Avena sativa were root-irrigated using bacteria suspensions (cell concentration 1 ⋅ 107 cfu/mL) of GL18, and the growth-promoting effect of GL18 on it was determined under cold, salt and drought stress, respectively. The whole genome of GL18 was sequenced, and its functional genes were analysed. GL18 presented significant antagonistic activity to Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium acuminatum, Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus niger (inhibition zone diameter > 17 mm). Transparent zones formed on four hydrolase detection media, indicating that GL18 secreted cellulase, protease, pectinase and β-1, 3-glucanase. GL18 tolerated conditions of 10°C, 11% NaCl concentration and 15% PEG-6000 concentration, presenting cold, salt and drought resistance. GL18 improved the cold, salt and drought tolerance of A. sativa and it showed significant growth effects under different stress. The total length of the GL18 genome was 3,915,550 bp, and the number of CDS was 3726. Compared with the COG, GO and KEGG databases, 3088, 2869 and 2357 functional genes were annotated, respectively. GL18 contained gene clusters related to antibacterial substances, functional genes related to the synthesis of plant growth-promoting substances, and encoding genes related to stress resistance. This study identified an excellent Bacillus strain and provided a theoretical basis for improving stress resistance and promoting the growth of herbages under abiotic stress.